THE RELIGIOUS concert, Genesis, which is being held on New Year's Day at Jam World, Portmore, St. Catherine, promises to be different from the praise concerts patrons have been attending over the past 17 years.
The organiser, Jamaica Youth for Christ, claims this year the event will have a variety of activities.
Genesis would usually begin at midnight on New Year's Day and would consist of only a stage show lasting until daybreak. However, Dr. Donovan Thomas, National Director at the Jamaica Youth for Christ, announced some changes in an interview on December 17.
"Gates will be opened at noon and the concert, which will last for seven hours, will begin at 2 p.m.," he said. However, during the day there will be a lot of attractions for everybody.
Dr. Thomas further pointed out that while the format for the event has changed, the core concept of wholesome family entertainment will remain.
For children there will be free rides on a motion simulator, and merry-go-round. There will be clowns, give-aways and a uni-cyclist.
ADULTS
The adults will not be left out. There will be a rodeo bull, dominoes, pool, a dance tent, karaoke tent and rock climbing. The patrons will also be treated to a fireworks display, bike show, and skateboarding.
Dr. Thomas said that most of these activities are becoming popular among Jamaican youth. "The young people have been watching skateboarding, rock climbing and bike shows and other things on MTV, but no one has ever brought it to Jamaica," he said.
Dr. Thomas said that the bikers, the skateboarders, and most of the equipment that will be used at Genesis Festival will be coming from the United States of America.
The festival is being staged at a cost of $6 million. "This seems bigger than what the Jamaica Youth for Christ can do but God said that we should move to it," he said.
The show was also made possible through the sponsorship of Digicel, Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), The Gleaner Company and RJR Communication group.
